[gkinberg]

I posted this in the sticky above but didn't get any responses. Therefore, thought I'd try as a new thread.

Hi,

My name is Garth and I am currently using dbpoweramp to rip my CD's. My free trial has just ended and I have yet to rip a CD with the base version. Apparently, Tagging is not an option using the base software version. However, Todd showed how one can tag album art with the CD using google. Are there other issues considered to be a negative in using dbpoweramp's base version?

Ultimately, I would like to get one software that rips, tags and plays my music. I'm a PC guy and run windows 7. I realize that the best software might be specialized and I might need three seperate programs but would like one quality program that will do all three for cheep. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Garth

[dlaloum]

Best Ripping software: EAD

Exact Audio Copy - has the tools and options to ensure a true bit for bit copu, and verifies against an online database of CD signatures to ensure that your copy in in fact bit for bit true....

Playback:

1) iTunes
Easy to use, but also constrains you in various ways. Issues with some file formats, database size issues (if you have too many files) etc..
If you are an iPod or iPhone user - the integration is good.
Free Software.
2) MediaMonkey
This is what I use - lots of input/output options, ability to have multiple categories/genres on a single track, good user interface (not as good as iTunes, but good).
Output driver options support a LOT of 3rd party drivers - I am currently using a Resampling driver, which provides the resampled and dithered output to my DAC at 24/96.
Full support for every format under the sun. (with the right add-on plug-in's)
Paid software.
3) JRiver media centre
Messed around with this for a while, also good software, preferred MediaMonkey.
Paid Software

Good luck with it

David

[eclein]

I currently use Media Monkey Gold and love it, the thing with Media Monkey is you can make it very easy for anybody to use and then add in more options (most of which are already there but don't display in the UI by default).
 I use it on my laptop to feed a DAC via USB and for all ripping and burning. There is a trial version and when your ready to purchase if so desired take a close look at Media Monkeys website because there are ways to get Gold version for free. Media Monkey is tied in with a bunch of other companies service offerings. One of the choices was to enroll in Gamefly (Video game service like Netflix for gaming) which I was thinking about anyway. So I signed up with Gamefly and got Media Monkey Gold for free.
 Try the trial and really poke around in the software and you'll see how many options it offers to you if you want to use them..there are a lot of skins so its easy to customize.
 +1 from me

[golfugh]

I've used EAC and db, prefer db and spend the money on the reference version, it's cheap.  IMO of course

[eclein]

golfugh--do you have a link to that you could post, I wanna try a bunch... thanks

[golfugh]

Here ya go, eclein!

dbpoweramp:http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

Reference version includes a music converter, burner and a lot of other goodies.  A lot of good info on the site, as well as a forum.

Mark

[srb]

Does Media Monkey support WASAPI like J. River Media Center?  I couldn't find any reference to it.  If you're using a PC with Windows Vista or Windows 7 and not using WASAPI, IMO you're not getting the best sound possible from that platform.
 
Steve

[mhconley]

I use EAC to rip to FLAC and Mp3tag for tagging.

For playback I use foobar2000 and foo_out_wasapi through my E-MU soundcard and KRK speakers at my computer, or with foo_UPnP DLNA server through my Pioneer Elite SC-25's Home Media Gallery and home theater setup, or Squeezebox server through my Sqeezebox Classic in my stereo system.

Martin

[eclein]

Steve whats WASAPI?? also I tried to get ASIO drivers on here (Win 7 64bit) and downloade from the website but could never find them once installed to get them in the mix--they used to have a littl GUI for guys like me with a big red X if it wasn't working and a big green OK (I think) if it was...but WASAPI is what??
 Thanks

[Mike B.]

I am not very computer savvy so paid for Dbpower amp and meta tags for one year. Downloading my CD collection with tags was very easy.  I tried Foobar and didn't care for it. I much prefer JRiver. YMMV

[srb]

Steve whats WASAPI??

WASAPI (Windows Audio Session Application Programming Interface) is a sound driver interface that allows direct connection from player software to the sound device and bypassess the Windows Kernel Mixer (KMixer) avoiding default resampling to 16-bit/48KHz.
 
ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) interface performs a similar function and is the only option for Windows XP.  WASAPI became available with the introduction of Windows Vista, which has a brand new audio engine featuring lower latency, increased audio buffer accuracy and runs at an elevated thread priority for CPU access.
 
According to my own very informal and subjective tests (and by some others who have taken the time to compare), WASAPI is the driver interface of choice to use if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7.
 
J. River Media Center (not the free J. River Media Jukebox) and Foobar (just can't get past the user interface) both can run in exclusive mode and use the WASAPI interface.  iTunes audio engine cannot be run in exclusive mode and cannot use either ASIO or WASAPI.
 
Steve

[mhconley]

WASAPI is the Windows Audio Session Application Programming Interface.  It's the new low-level Microsoft audio API available in Vista and Windows 7.  Microsoft rewrote the audio stack specifically to support high bit rate (32-bit) low latency bit for bit accurate audio streams.  They did a very good job and it sounds fantastic.

Martin 

[eclein]

Got J River--very nice, I'll buy it when my trial ends for sure. How do I get WASAPI going?? Is it a plug in? In otherwords do I need to get it from somewhere else or is it already using it. Thanks for the tip on this...I'm using my laptop now as a server, HTPC, waiting on wireless keyboard to arrive and I'm in business.

[srb]

With J. River Media Center 15, WASAPI should be available under Tools > Options > Playback > Audio > Output Mode.  You would also want to select the Exclusive mode under Output Mode Settings (which also means that no other audio sources can output sound when in playback mode).
 
Steve

[eclein]

I got it (latest version 15.0) I found WASAPI but it wouldn't playback--I just have a cd in the drive.
J River is really put together nicely...I haven't researched or dug into it yet, maybe you'll know does it playback Blu-rays??

[srb]

For CD playback, you may need to select "Use digital playback of audio CDs" under Tools > Options > CD & DVD > General.  Do digital files otherwise playback?
 
J. River Media Center 15 does not playback Blu-ray disks.  Although there are some workarounds to get players like Arcsoft TMT or Cyberlink PowerDVD HD to work within JR Media Center (with an accompanying script), it may not be worth the trouble.  http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=55171.0
 
Steve

[eclein]

Steve, thanks again- J river is rock solid.